An Open Letter to the NATO Summit

[clickerish]

Dear NATO Summit,

I understand that you have far larger issues at stake and that for the city of Chicago it was highly beneficial to be designated as the Summit meeting place. So, please understand that I support international cooperation.

That being said, did it have to take place on the 21st of May? In Chicago? Do you not understand that tracking down Don Juan Carlos is easier than getting ahold of someone in the Spanish consulate? That we have waited three months for this appointment? I have now had to call the office of a US congressman, my last resort, but have no real hopes even the power of the federal government will be able to help me figure out if that appointment is now cancelled (despite being scheduled through the consulate in advance with what I am sure is full knowledge of the Summit's timetable).

Sincerely,
A really tired citizen of two places that vote in your summits

[allibally]

Ugh. When you said you were coming to Chicago on Sunday. I was a bit worried the NATO thing would be an issue. Sorry you and your partner are in such a bind.

[crimsonandclover]

Any of you Chicago people know whether traffic on the interstates around Chicago is affected by the summit? My mom and I are driving by on I-80 tomorrow and I'm wondering whether we should plan in some extra time for traffic jams...

[allibally]

May 17, 2012 12:13:19 GMT -5 crimsonandclover said:

Any of you Chicago people know whether traffic on the interstates around Chicago is affected by the summit? My mom and I are driving by on I-80 tomorrow and I'm wondering whether we should plan in some extra time for traffic jams...

No idea exactly. They say possibly since all the delegations will be in town. Either NBC or ABC Chicago has a good section on their website showing the current traffic and expectations.

I usually only take the Edens Expressway North and don't have too much trouble with traffic because I usually go North at off peek hours. But going out towards the airport side and back last Saturday was a nightmare.

[crimsonandclover]

hm... we'll be just driving by south of the city, so hopefully that'll be ok. We'll be south of OHare, too. I'll take a look at the websites and see what they're saying.

[elenetxu]

May 17, 2012 7:58:43 GMT -5 clickerish said:

Dear NATO Summit,

I understand that you have far larger issues at stake and that for the city of Chicago it was highly beneficial to be designated as the Summit meeting place. So, please understand that I support international cooperation.

That being said, did it have to take place on the 21st of May? In Chicago? Do you not understand that tracking down Don Juan Carlos is easier than getting ahold of someone in the Spanish consulate? That we have waited three months for this appointment? I have now had to call the office of a US congressman, my last resort, but have no real hopes even the power of the federal government will be able to help me figure out if that appointment is now cancelled (despite being scheduled through the consulate in advance with what I am sure is full knowledge of the Summit's timetable).

Sincerely,
A really tired citizen of two places that vote in your summits

Keep calling. They're probably sick of answering phone calls from nervous Language Assistant applicants who are p/oed they haven't been placed yet.

Animo! Grab a glass of tinto to help survive the calls.

[allibally]

Seems to be a common problem of all consulates in Chicago. The reviews on google are all the same for the different ones I looked at.

Have you been able to get through yet clickerish?

[clickerish]

We finally rerouted and the congressional office talked to somebody in the Embassy. Last word is that they are claiming they will be open, but it is subject to change. Shocker! So, we're taking the chance and going. New plan is to figure out how to reroute and get to boystown, get up super early and take the El in since that's supposedly going to keep running. Oh, politics.

[allibally]

Are you coming from WI? Just wonder since your hitting the North neighborhood.

You can also try around Lincoln Square as a place to park a car and catch the EL on the Brown line. During the daytime on a weekday you could easily find a place to park on a residential street and then walk the block to the EL.

I'll cross my fingers that no one decides Monday to be the day to block the entrance of the Spanish Embassy.

[clickerish]

No, from Michigan. But we're staying at a friend's place who happens to live in Boystown. I wish it were elsewhere, but oh well. Thanks for crossing your fingers. It will be worth it if a visa happens!